Yes, too capricious.
Capricious enough to use malicious means to snatch her half-brother’s betrothed, so intolerant of Chen Jiu that she not only wanted to ruin his face but also tortured him in inhumane ways, making him unable to live or die.
When he finally realized he was going to die, his heart was filled with hatred but also a twisted sense of gratitude.
Grateful that Chen Ling finally decided to let him go.
Chen Jiu closed his eyes, hiding the coldness and sorrow in them, then shook his head and said to Chen Guangren, “Father, please don’t blame Ling’er too much. She was just afraid of your scolding, so she didn’t dare to tell the truth.”
Saying this almost made him want to vomit.
But he had to say it.
Chen Ling’s behavior had already broken their father’s heart. If he also confronted her head-on, it would only make their father more upset.
It couldn’t be rushed.
Seeing how sad he was yet still speaking up for Chen Ling, Chen Guangren frowned: “You, what can I say about you? Always speaking up for her, does she remember your kindness? This time was lucky. If something really happened, we wouldn’t even have a place to cry!”
Chen Jiu lowered his eyes and remained silent.
Chen Guangren, thinking he was being stubborn, couldn’t help but feel a bit angry, suppressing his temper: “Don’t always act like this. You’re almost twenty, and you’ll have to marry by next year at the latest. Qian Yun’s mother is not easy to deal with, which is why she has been delaying your engagement. You need to learn to be tough so you won’t be bullied in the future!”
“Though I don’t want you to suffer, once you’re married off, you’ll be someone else’s family. Even if I want to help, it’s not reasonable for me to be at your in-laws’ doorstep every day seeking justice for you, making us a laughingstock.”
“So, you need to toughen up yourself. Only then will others not dare to bully you.”
Just like what happened today, if you usually acted a bit tougher, Ling’er wouldn’t dare to boss you around even if she is capricious. Father can protect you for a while, but not for a lifetime. You need to learn to protect yourself, understand?”
Chen Jiu was initially thinking about what to say next but was taken aback by these words.
In his previous life, Father had said something similar the day before he married Qian Yun.
However, he was too accustomed to being gentle to change his character with just a few words from Father. Moreover, with Lan Shi’s warnings and Chen Ling and Qian Yun’s interference, he couldn’t toughen up.
Now, given a second chance, he realized his father’s well-intentioned efforts.
“Father, I understand.”
Chen Jiu gently tugged at Chen Guangren’s sleeve, saying apologetically, “The same thing won’t happen again. I know that if Zhao Chen hadn’t suddenly stopped being silly and rescued me in time, I don’t know what would have happened.”
Chen Guangren, also feeling a wave of fear, patted Chen Jiu’s shoulder to comfort him.
Thinking about Zhao Chen, Chen Guangren couldn’t help but ask, “Why did you suddenly faint? Was it because of Wang Tiezhu?”
“Yes and no,” Chen Jiu replied. “I drank the medicine Ling’er gave me and went to the straw hut, but met Wang Tiezhu halfway. You know what kind of person he is, Father, so he came up to me…”
Chen Jiu paused, not saying those few words, and instead carefully recounted the events to Chen Guangren.
In his recounting, he omitted the part about agreeing to team up with Zhao Chen and everything that happened in the straw hut, then half-truthfully said, “Zhao Chen said he didn’t pick up any pouch and asked where my home was, saying he would take me back. At that time, I felt dizzy and didn’t care if he was lying. I turned around and headed back. I hadn’t gone far when the world started spinning, and I passed out.”
Repeating his earlier question, he asked again, “Was it Zhao Chen who brought me back?”
